The South's Original Potato Chip

The Potato Chip is Born.

As the story goes, George Crum, a cook at Moon’s Lake House in Saratoga Springs, New York, tries to appease a customer who keeps complaining that his potatoes are too thick. Frustrated with repeated complaints from the same customer, Crum slices the potatoes razor thin, fries them until they’re crisp, and serves them up. The customer is thrilled. The potato chip is born.

You’ll find an old brass plaque hanging in our offices with the Golden Rule on it, and its been around as long as anybody can remember.

1923

Magic City Food Products.

Frank Mosher, who came to Birmingham from Memphis, seeks out a partner to start a potato chip company that will ultimately become Golden Flake. Mosher knows how to make potato chips. All he needs is money. He finds his financial partner in Mose Lischkoff. The company launches in the basement of a Hill’s Grocery Store in north Birmingham.

1924

Helen Friedman comes on the scene.

At this time, in addition to their principle product – potato chips, the company packages horseradish as well as peanut butter cracker sandwiches which are hand made and wrapped by hand as well. Mosher hires Helen Friedman to help out.

1928

The Roaring Twenties.

Mosher and Helen Friedman become romantically involved. Meanwhile, Mose Lischkoff decides that he could run the company better and offers to buy Mosher out, figuring that Mosher still didn't have the finances necessary to buy the company. Mosher goes to Helen and she and her mother loan him the money to buy out Lischkoff instead.

1928

The Golden Flake Girl

Frank Mosher and Helen Friedman marry and she becomes Helen Friedman Mosher. By this time, everybody knows Magic City Food Products’ potato chip as “Golden Flake” and Helen as “The Golden Flake Girl.”

A marriage sputters and a company finds its stride.

In the late 20s through early 40s a lot happens. Helen’s marriage to Frank ends. But Helen’s association with the company continues in a big way as she receives the entire company in the divorce settlement. Under Helen’s leadership, the company reaches sales of nearly one million dollars over the next couple of decades.

1940's

The Golden Flake girl moves on.

By this time, Helen Friedman Mosher has married again to become Helen Friedman Mosher Gregg. Here, just after the end of World War II Helen sells Magic City Food Products to the Bashinsky family.

The company moves from the basement of the grocery store to a facility on Lomb Avenue.

In addition to all of the things that affect the flavor and texture of our products, our Quality Control team even uses a special machine that measures the color. You can’t have a Golden Flake chip that doesn’t have that rich golden Golden Flake color!

Changes to name and ownership.

Sloan Bashinksy, son and nephew of the owners, has worked his way up in the company from route sales and production jobs. He buys the company from his uncle and father and changes the name of the company to Golden Flake, Incorporated.

1957

New digs are underway.

Sloan initiates the construction of the 50-acre Birmingham corporate headquarters and an extensive manufacturing facility.

Thanksgiving Weekend, 1958.

The company moves from Lomb Avenue into its present location. There is much to be thankful for.

We have a state-of-the-art water processing plant. All of the water we use passes through the plant and is returned to the environment cleaner than it was when it first came into our plant!

1960's

Great Pair, says the Bear

A pair made in snack heaven

Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, a close friend of Sloan Bashinsky becomes Golden Flake’s most revered spokesperson. During his show, he is always seen with a Coca-Cola and a bag of Golden Flake potato chips. “Great Pair,” says the Bear becomes a popular slogan.

COACH FRIENDS EVERYWHERE

Golden Flake isn’t just a University of Alabama friend. In fact, a number of SEC coaches are seen promoting our delicious chips. We even began sponsoring Auburn University around this time.

1960's

FROM PIGSKIN TO PORK SKINS

During the Bear Bryant era, Golden Flake adds pork skins to the team.

1960's

At Golden Flake, we reuse the cartons in which we ship our products, which saves both money and trees!

A PUBLIC OFFERING

Looking to give his customers and employees an opportunity to own part of the growing company, Sloan Bashinsky takes Golden Flake public.

1970's

THE GOBBLER COMES ON THE SCENE

Before The Muppets ever hit the scene, Jim Henson, then a relative unknown, created the Gobbler for us. The Gobbler lasted until moms decided they didn’t like a monster that ate everything, even if he was a very friendly monster!

A TRULY GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY

Golden Flake turns 50 and celebrates by adding our delicious Golden Flake Tortilla Chips to the lineup. By this time, we are already producing a corn chip that wins taste tests over its competitors.

1990's

IN A PICKLE

Golden Flake becomes one of the first snack food companies to produce a dill pickle flavored chip. Our competitors scramble to follow suit as the flavor gains popularity.

At one point in our history, in addition to potato chips, Golden Flake made prepared horseradish. Apparently, horseradish was very popular way back when!

1990's

SWEET HEAT IS A HOT NEW ITEM

Arguably the most popular Golden Flake chip takes the market by storm. To this day, there’s not another chip like it in the market.

TALLADEGA TRACK SPONSOR

That’s right. Golden Flake becomes one of the first sponsors for Talladega Super Speedway.

1998

THREE-QUARTERS OF A CENTURY

Golden Flake celebrates its 75th Anniversary.

2015

POPCORN POPS IN

Golden Flake adds popcorn to its list of excellent products.

Our tractor trailers are custom designed to carry the maximum number of Golden Flake cartons.